Systems and methods for vehicle use authentication

Abstract

Systems and methods that compare a validation image to one or more confirmation data sets, wherein each of the one or more confirmation sets is formed based on matching a document image and a confirmation image. In at least one example, one or more vehicle operability actions may be performed responsive to the validation image matching a confirmation data set of the one or more confirmation data sets. A refusal action may further be performed responsive to the validation image not matching the confirmation data, for example.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 comparing a validation image to one or more confirmation data sets, wherein each of the one or more confirmation data sets is formed based on matching a document image and a confirmation image; 
 performing a vehicle operability action responsive to the validation image matching a confirmation data set of the one or more confirmation data sets; and 
 performing a refusal action responsive to the validation image not matching the confirmation data set, wherein the refusal action includes preventing vehicle operability. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the validation image is formed via an image sensor of a vehicle. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the document image is a first image of a user, wherein the confirmation image is a second image of the user, and wherein the validation image is a third image of the user. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the validation image is an image of the user positioned in a driver's seat of the vehicle. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the validation image is compared to the one or more confirmation data sets prior to performing the vehicle operability action, wherein the vehicle operability action includes allowing the vehicle to start and allowing the vehicle to be driver, and
 wherein the validation image is compared to the one or more confirmation data sets prior to performing the refusal action, and wherein preventing vehicle operability includes preventing the vehicle from being driven. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the refusal action includes one or more of sending a message to a user mobile device and sending a message to an administrator. 
     
     
       7. A method, comprising:
 performing an in-vehicle image scan to form a validation image of a user; 
 comparing the validation image to stored confirmation data, the confirmation data including one or more confirmation data sets, each of the confirmation data sets including one or more of a document image, a confirmation image, and an aggregate image; 
 enabling operability of a vehicle responsive to forming a match between the validation image and a confirmation data set of the one or more confirmation data sets; and 
 performing a refusal action responsive to the validation image not matching any of the one or more confirmation data sets, wherein the refusal action includes preventing vehicle operability. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the refusal action for preventing vehicle operability includes maintaining a door of the vehicle in a locked state. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the refusal action for preventing vehicle operability includes preventing a vehicle start, even when a start request is received. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the confirmation data set is associated with contract information. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the confirmation data is stored in a database remote from the vehicle. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 7 , wherein enabling operability of the vehicle includes one or more of enabling a vehicle start and unlocking one or more vehicle doors. 
     
     
       13. A method comprising:
 performing a first validation based on a document image of a user and a confirmation image of the user; 
 confirming the document image of the user and the confirmation image of the user match based on the first validation, and generating a confirmation data set responsive to confirming that the document image of the user and the confirmation image of the user match; 
 performing a second validation based on a validation image of the user and the confirmation data set; and 
 confirming the validation image of the user and the confirmation data set match based on the second validation, and performing an operability action for a vehicle responsive to confirming that the validation image of the user and the confirmation data set match. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein performing the first validation and the second validation includes performing automated facial recognition. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first validation is performed via an application on a mobile device. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising associating contract information with the user during generation of the confirmation data set. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein performing the second validation further includes comparing data of the vehicle to the contract information associated with the confirmation data set. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the validation image of the user is generated via a camera of the vehicle. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising, after confirming that the validation image of the user and the confirmation data set match, storing the validation image locally at the vehicle. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 13 , wherein each of the document image of the user, the confirmation image of the user, and the validation image of the user include an amount of facial data points that is greater than a predetermined threshold.